
Enoshima Island Spa
Anyone who scratches the surface of daily life in Japan, will realize that it is the land of best kept secrets. However, the land of the rising sun is also often home to matrioshka-style ones; best-kept secrets within best-kept secrets, within best-kept secrets. One of my very favorites in that…(866 words)

Laurier Tiernan
Enoshima Island spa
Inokashira Park - a quick and refreshing excursion from central Tokyo
Want to take a rest from the big city without the hassle of taking a long trip? How about Inokashira Koen (Park), all it takes is 35 to 50 minutes and 200 yen to get there by train from Shibuya station on the Keio Inokashira line. My suggestion is to take the express train 4 stops to Kugayama stati…(212 words)

Aron
Tokyo Park Inokashira Park Train City Trip Shibuya Walk Holidays Camera
Kinokoen Oyama no Taisho
Providing the rich bounty of nature to urban dwellersEating wood-grown shiitake mushrooms freshly picked? There is a place where such a luxurious delight, hardly imaginable by city dwellers, can be experienced all year round. It is called Kinokoen Oyama no Taisho, a restaurant run by a farmin…(561 words)

Kanagawa P.G.T.D.
Restaurant Yokohama Spring Nature style Mountain Tokyo City
Indulge myself with a small luxury : a minitrip to Kusatsu
Have you ever had that feeling that your mind is stuck with your work and you need to get away from the office for a while? Staying home is not an option because then, you will not stay focus on your backlog work. In such a case, I go to Kusatsu hot spring. It is three hours away from home in T…(537 words)

Claire
Luxury short trip Onsen Hot Spring Japan Kusatsu Onsen
Ishikawa: Top 10 Sightseeing Spots
Ishikawa Prefecture is found in the Hokuriku area of the Chubu region, in the middle of Honshu on the coast of the Japan Sea. The prefectural capital city is Kanazawa City. It is long north to south, and is shaped like the letter F. Ishikawa’s southern Kaga region has a long coastline on the Japan …(1108 words)

Japanista
Ishikawa Kenrokuen Garden Art museum kanazawa castle park
Monument commemorating General Aung San, a founding father of Burma
People visit here wonder why they see the monument of General Aung San (father of Ms.Aung San Suu Kyi), a founding father of Burma.The monument stands on top of Ohkusa hill by the Lake Hamana.There you can overlook Tomei Expressway and the lakeHistory shows General was exiled to Japan in 1…(111 words)

kazmcqueen
Hamana lake Burma Aung San Suu Kyi Visit Japan City History Japanese Region Lake
The Ultimate One-stop Souvenir Shop in Ginza
Need to buy souvenirs for someone or a group of people and don't have a clue what to buy or where to go? Well, you *could* read any of the following articles on the subject:http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4160http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4171http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4179Or you could just…(282 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer
Park Toy Souvenir Tokyo English Japan Food Shopping Must have souvenir Ginza
Driving to Kusatsu
It’s sometimes easy to forget that Japan, with all its grinding work hours, high tech wizardry and futuristic architecture, can also offer spectacular vistas and natural phenomena. To witness this transformation when urban, turns to suburban and then downright country, we drove from the sea in Shon…(291 words)

Alana
driving Japan Winter Hotel Sea Onsen Work Snow architecture new
Aomori Japan: Vibrant and Productive with Rich History and Strong Tradition
"Get the latest updates here on Deep Japan as we collaborate with Tokyo Broadcasting System(TBS) Television, JNN(Japan News Network/TBS nation wide affiliates)'s seven-station network across Japan and Vietnam's VTV station to bring the people in Vietnam informative and fun reports from the fantasti…(784 words)


Japan has an annual Ninja Festa (Kids welcome!)
Iga-Ueno City's Ninja Festival celebrates Japan's famed warriors and its place in their history. Few iconic figures are more closely identified with Japan than the ninja; a combination of elite warrior and intelligence agent whose basic mission continues in various forms to this day. "The art o…(549 words)

GoodPeople
Japan Kids Visit Train Event Ninja Castle festival Shiga Tokyo
Enjoy the cherry blossoms
Every spring, it is the same thing: everyone are getting very (positively) anxious and are looking forward to enjoying the cherry blossoms.Spring is there. 8 blossoms on a tree, and it's done. Cherry blossom season is launched. Time to prepare your picnic and enjoy it under the trees, if you f…(169 words)

Claire
Cherry blossom Cherry Asakusa River Japanese festivals
The many different ways to get to Kusatsu
Kusatsu is less frequented by foreign visitors given that it doesn’t have a train station, never mind a bullet train stop. That isolation is one of the reasons Kusatsu has managed to maintain its special atmosphere, but for those that want to go there it’s actually not difficult to get to.On my…(535 words)

AndrewShuttleworth
Tokyo Japan Train Trip Spring Ticket Bus Onsen Transport
Camping at Lake Motosuko near Mt. Fuji
Ask five campers what they want out of a camping experience and you're likely to get at least three different ideas. This review is for those who like to drive to a camp area, set up a tent and have amenities such as a place to wash your dishes, shower, buy fire wood and other useful supplies on on…(251 words)

Aron
Lake Camping Lake Motosu Park English Japanese Yen buy car
Okutama, easy access and abundant nature in western Tokyo.
Okutama Town is located on the western edge of Tokyo. It is 40 miles west and two-hour train ride from Tokyo Station via Shinjuku and surrounded by green mountains but certainly within Tokyo Prefecture. It is a part of Chichibu Tama Kai National Park but major local tourist attractions are within s…(442 words)

Hagi
Tokyo Nature Train Hotel Onsen Fishing cave Soba noodles Okutama Yoga
Many of the Japanese, was afraid for a long time, "Oi-wa Inari"
There is a city “Yotsuya” in Tokyo.In Yotsuya, there is a shrine which was built 300 years ago.Many of the Japanese, was afraid for a long time, "Oi-wa Inari"In order to calm the anger of the ghost “Oi-wa”, "Oi-wa Inari". was built 300 years ago.Many of the Japanese thought so."Oi-wa"…(156 words)

asteka
Japanese Visit Jinjya (Shrine) Tokyo Japan City Shop Sea Eat Fish
Small Fuji. When you climb, your wish will come true?
Between Shinjuku and Harajuku, there is Mount Fuji.You will climb easily. Because the Fuji is small.The Fuji was created 200 years ago.The Fuji is named "FUJIZUKA".Why "FUJIZUKA" has been made?From more than 200 years ago, for the Japanese,Fuji was a special mountain.It is a m…(155 words)

asteka
Mount Fuji Cosplay Tokyo Japan City Shinjuku Japanese Shop style Cafe
If you come to Japan, let's watch a movie!
In Japan, there are a lot of movies that are not screened overseas.Overseas, Japan's movie hero is samurai and ninja?In Japan until now, more than a ninja and samuraiUnique hero or heroine has been drawn in the movie.High school girl fight with a machine gun, story,Love story of a g…(138 words)

asteka
Japan Movie Tokyo English Japanese Entertainment Samurai Guide love Tokyo Station
Nikko travel guide: access and things to do
Nikko is one of the most historically significant cities in Japan, situated between the mountains of north Tokyo. The city is located in very close proximity to the Nikko National Park, which offers great views of the mountain peaks, as well as numerous waterfalls and hot springs, where you can…(673 words)

Carlos P.
Guide Nikko Tokyo Japan Visit Train City Park Japanese Jinjya (Shrine)
Japanese style travel
Minshuku - Japanese bed and breakfast"There are different kinds of ryokan and minshuku inns in Japan... Personally I like minshukus best as they small and more personable. The owners run the minshuku and cook the meals. They take great pride preparing meals and making sure you are comfortable."…(339 words)

DeepJapan
Onsen Japan Travel Japanese inn Minshuku Foot bath Public Bath Matome
Chiba Prefecture - Where Tokyoites like to escape the busy city
Explore the Minami Boso Peninsula"Jump on the bus from Tokyo Station for the scenic 90-minute ride through the city, over the famous Rainbow Bridge, and the unique Aqua Line expressway to the south of the Chiba Peninsula. There are many different and unique things to do there that visitors are …(451 words)

DeepJapan
Chiba Japan Travel Hiking Tokyo Bay Trip Matome
Explore Tokyo’s neighbor Kanagawa Prefecture
A day in Yokohama“If you have a full day to spend and you’re in Tokyo, I recommend taking a trip to the port city of Yokohama, especially if it's a beautiful day. On a sunny day, the Minato Mirai area with its series of shopping malls, amusement park and hotels situated around a bay is a must s…(358 words)

DeepJapan
Kanagawa Yokohama Kamakura Shonan Hakone Japan Travel Odawara Matome
Old Tokyo Alive and Well in Taito Town
Old Tokyo is alive and well in a few pockets of the city. History lovers and nostalgia junkies alike would be intrigued by Taito ward’s Asakusa, Yanaka, and Ueno neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own distinct character and feel, but they all capture the spirit of old Tokyo. The Sensoji t…(860 words)

Taito-kun
Tokyo Taito Japan Visit City Restaurant Food Shopping Art History
Top 10 Things to DO in NIKKO Japan | WATCH BEFORE YOU GO | Onsen Paradise
Japan Travel Guide - A Tour of Nikko onsen & area including Kinugawa Onsen. This Away from Tokyo Guide series ventures into the Top 10 things to do in Nikko Japan. This Nikko Tour visits Nikko Onsen, Nikko Edo Wonderland aka Edomura, Toshugu Shrine a Unesco World Heritage location and Nikko food,…(140 words)

DeepJapan Editor
Japan Onsen Nikko Tokyo City Food Trip Jinjya (Shrine) Japan Travel Guide
Slip Inside the Cracks: Samurai Spirit Tourism in Fukushima Prefecture
Through the years, I’ve had many people “back home” ask me about Samurai Spirit and ninjas. Is there any place in Japan left where one can find these things?This is a kind of question very difficult to answer. Of course, it is possible to find museums that feature many of the tools and stories …(1064 words)

DeepJapan Editor
Samurai Tourism Fukushima Japan Visit Park History Art Japanese
Let's explore old Tokyo in Taito ward
No trip to Tokyo is complete without a trip to the Asakusa district. Asakusa is one of the oldest parts of town. Asakusa has managed to preserve an extraordinarily rich urban fabric. It has been difficult for many parts of Tokyo to retain many of its historical features. Fires and bombing campaigns…(900 words)

Taito-kun
Tokyo Taito
Tours of Sake breweries in Ehime
Sake is the essence of Japanese culture. Made from quality rice, which is the foundation of Japanese peoples diet, fresh water, cleaned by local soil, a koji mold and yest, each Sake has a unique taste and character. To unfold the secrets how it develops this character you can participate in tours …(924 words)

DeepJapan Editor
Sake (Rice wine) Ehime Japan Visit Restaurant Food History Building Japanese
Asago Wellness and Fitness Tourism
Once upon a time, Asago was a feudal era battlefield. With Takeda Castle, seeming to float among the clouds, it is a very mysterious place. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu all vied to conquer Japan, and saw the importance of maintaining control of this area. Tajima, Harima, an…(914 words)

DeepJapan Editor
Tourism Japan Visit City History Japanese Tera (Temple) Music Hyogo
Go north! Nikko National Park Day 2
I woke up early to the sound of the rushing river below and the view of the snow covered mountain, had some Japanese tea while enjoying the scenery for awhile and then went down for breakfast. I arrived at a spacious big dining hall, and the staff escorted me to a private dining room where my frien…(1282 words)

DeepJapan Editor
Park Nikko national park Tokyo Japan Visit Train City Trip Hotel
Hyogo and Hiroshima Prefecture - Western Japan travel from Osaka
Visit Himeji Castle“Often said to be Japan's best example of a complete fortress castle, Himeji Castle is a picturesque beauty, sitting atop a hill in Hyogo Prefecture. It is often referred to as either a white egret or heron, referring to its white exterior and elegant shape, much like a great…(568 words)

DeepJapan
Hyogo Hiroshima day trip Sea Matome Kobe Himeji Castle Sake (Rice wine)
Kyoto travel tips - spend a day exploring Japan’s old capital
Kiyomizu-dera & Jishu Shrine“Kiyomizu-dera is a beautiful temple in Kyoto up on the hills, with a view over the city. The temple grounds are a nice place to walk around and look at the many halls, gates, and pagodas from different angles... Make sure to walk around the different buildings and g…(399 words)

DeepJapan
day trip Japan Travel Kyoto architecture Art Jinjya (Shrine) local secret Matome Tera (Temple) Walk
Kobayashi city, a place suspended in a mythological time
I didn't really know what to expect from a trip to Kobayashi city. I've lived in Tokyo for the most part of my 10-year stay here, and while I did my research on the city, I could not quite grasp the mood of the place until I set foot there. If you are one who loves their wi-fi connection and bustli…(893 words)

Alex
City Japan Travel Kyushu Miyazaki Visit Japan
Japan travel tips for anime & manga fans
Studio Ghibli Animation Movie Museum“Animation is now recognized as one of the representative cultures of Japan globally. We have many animation pilgrimage spots throughout the country and many people visit them from all over the world… For first comers to Japan, Akihabara and Studio Ghibli are…(525 words)

DeepJapan
Japan Travel Manga Anime Matome Tokyo Shopping Museum
Takatsue Winter Wonderland One-night Onsen Trip
I wanted a quick overnight getaway from Tokyo to experience some nature instead of heading to crowded tourist areas. Takatsue Ski resort in Fukushima is relatively close to Tokyo, only about 170 minutes Tohoku Shinkansen, and is not just for skiing. All four seasons offer many seasonal activities l…(812 words)

DeepJapan Editor
Trip Onsen Winter Tokyo Japan Visit Train City Hotel English
Samurai Spirit
I always wanted to explore Fukushima so I headed north from Tokyo station for a short ride on the Tohoku Shinkansen Toward Koriyama station. It's only about an hour and half. and is a great way to enjoy a half day trip for a little history and an overnight stay at a nice onsen without exhausting yo…(871 words)

DeepJapan Editor
Samurai
Walk the walk
I personally think that one of the best ways to experience Tokyo is on foot. It's huge, yes, but you have to think of Tokyo fragmentally, as the different wards and towns that make up the metropolis all have their own vibe that becomes unmistakable after you have spent some time here; all of them c…(161 words)

KurtisW
Tokyo Park Shibuya Yoyogi Park Inokashira Park
Jiyugaoka is one of Japanese ladies' favorites
Recently, the area surrounding Jiyugaoka Station was voted the place where young women would most like to live. In addition to the foreign brands that have shops there, there are literally dozens and dozens of independent shops and cafes. Great to just explore. (Can be crowded on weekends. …(67 words)

JiyugaokaPaul
Tokyo
Peninsula Hotel at Happy Hour
At the top of the Peninsula Hotel is a restaurant with a bar called Peter's. (www.peninsula.com) Between 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., just in time for sunset, you can enjoy an inexpensive sparkling wine (800 Yen) and overlook the city, including a nice view of Tokyo Tower and the sunset over Hibiya Park.(54 words)

Sweet42.195
Tokyo Park City Restaurant Hotel Wine Tokyo Tower Hibiya Park
Miyajima- Hiroshima prefecture
Miyajima scenery well-known from the guide book or typical image of Japan.Although it's very famous scenery, many people don't know it's in the Hiroshima prefecture.Miyajima was build 9century and it was build traditional Japanese way which has not using any nails.They maintain not using any …(60 words)

yukorose
Hiroshima World Heritage Site
Time Travel to the Tokugawa Period
Fukagawa Edo Museum is the best museum I have ever been. You can see and experience how life in Edo (Tokyo) was in the Tokugawa period through display items. You can feel like you have traveled back in time! If you want to learn more about the past and want an English speaking guide, please call th…(75 words)

Rena
Tokyo Museum
The imperial palace gardens; well worth trying!
If you look for ones in the Tokyo Metropolitan area, I'd recommend you should go visit Koukyo if you haven't tried it yet; the imperial palace gardens park in the right front of the Tokyo Station. In spite of its location, there are good amount of nature preserved, and lots of "space" available in …(185 words)

Masa
Tokyo Train Park Museum Nature